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Tesla investigates random car explosion in Shanghai

By Caoimhe Toman

Date: Monday 22 Apr 2019

Tesla investigates random car explosion in Shanghai

(Sharecast News) - Tesla is investigating a video that has arisen on China social media that shows one of its electric cars bursting into flames in Shanghai on Sunday night.
In a statement issued by the company it said it had sent a team to investigate the random explosion: "After learning about the incident in Shanghai, we immediately sent the team to the scene last night."

"We are actively contacting relevant departments and supporting the verification," it added.

According to Reuters the video shows a stationary Tesla Model S erupting into flames in a parking lot after smoke started to rise from the vehicle

There have been no reported casualties from the event.

There have been previous incidents involving Tesla vehicles catching on fire but they seem to have happened while the cars were moving or cars that had crashed.

Tu Le, founder of consultant firm Sino Auto Insights said: "It seems strange that the battery, not charging, would combust on its own."

The clip sparked a great deal of concern and outrage on Weibo. "Us car owners demand an explanation," wrote user Miao Hongyang. "Jeopardizing our safety in a moment's instant and the fact it ignited so quickly is something we will not tolerate."

China is a very important market for Tesla that it cannot risk losing as it accounts for 20% of its annual revenues (or more than $2bn in sales).

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